Matthew Wade and Darcy Short produced the biggest partnership of the BBL season as Hobart Hurricanes seized control of their finals destiny with a seven-run win over Sydney Sixers.
The Hurricanes were sent in to bat at the MCG on Sunday night and took to the task immediately, with Wade and Short both blasting half-centuries in a 145-run opening stand from 87 balls.
It laid the platform for a big Hurricanes total of 8-188.
In reply, Jordan Silk (78) fired and Moises Henriques (43) rode his luck through two dropped catches, but the Sixers fell just short with 8-181.
The Hurricanes also snared the bonus point in a result that moved them up to fifth spot.
It means they can now make sure of a finals place with victory over last-placed Melbourne Renegades on Tuesday.
The Sixers have already qualified and can still finish the regular season on top of the table if results go their way.
Test batsman Wade (86 off 44) played the lead role for the Hurricanes in smacking 10 fours and three sixes, while Short (72 off 52) hit seven fours and three sixes.
Sean Abbott (2-32) eventually removed both Hobart openers, while Jake Ball (2-44) and Ben Dwarshuis (2-39) also picked up multiple wickets as six fell in the final three overs.
The Sixers' fightback kept the score below 190 after it had seemed set to soar beyond 200.
Moises Henriques was dropped twice by Short - on 3 and 32 - and smashed four sixes as the Sixers reached 3-100 from 11 overs.
But Sandeep Lamichhane (2-24) turned the match Hobart's way, removing Henriques and Dan Christian (0) in consecutive deliveries.
Nathan Ellis took 3-36 and could consider himself unlucky not to have claimed more wickets.
He thought he had bowled Dwashuis for a golden duck when the ball clipped the off bail, which lit up but was not dislodged.
Dawid Malan also dropped Silk, who was then on 60, off Ellis' bowling.
It almost proved costly as Silk threatened to drag the Sixers to what would have been a remarkable win before he holed out in the final over.
Both teams have a rest day on Monday before completing the regular season at the MCG on Tuesday.
